Overview & Reviews

In business for more than 100 years, Audi is an automaker that builds luxury cars and SUVs. The company was started in Germany and has remained Deutschland-based to this day.

"Audi Automobile Works" entered the German car-manufacturing business in 1910 and remained independent until the Great Depression. Because Audi's founder, August Horch, had left a 10-year-old company bearing his own name, he chose a Latin form of his name -- Audi -- for his new company. Audi joined with three other auto manufacturers in 1932 to form Auto Union. Audi, the only surviving nameplate from that union, was purchased by Volkswagen in 1964.

During the 1970s, Audi started to get noticed in the U.S. with its 100LS luxury sedan and compact and sprightly Fox coupe and sedan. By the late '70s the brand had replaced the dated 100LS with its new 5000 luxury sedan.

Every manufacturer has its defining moments. For Audi, one such moment came in March 1980 at the Geneva Motor Show. The automaker unveiled the Audi Quattro, an all-wheel-drive sport coupe that was met with a wildly enthusiastic response on the show floor. The Quattro's all-wheel-drive system went on to help Audi win accolades in motorsports and it was eventually integrated into the entire model range.

That year also saw the Fox replaced by the 4000. Four years later, the range-topping 5000 was redesigned. Audi's sales shot up nearly 50 percent, thanks chiefly to that newly aerodynamic yet handsome flagship that featured what would become an Audi hallmark -- an elegantly stylish, high-quality cabin.

Sadly, Audi's fortunes turned for the worse when the carmaker's 5000 model was accused of unintended acceleration in a 60 Minutes television episode. A subsequent government investigation found Audi innocent of the charge, but the resulting drop in sales nearly put Audi out of business in the U.S.

The late '80s saw Audi redesign the 4000, renaming it the 80 and 90 (with the 90 having more equipment) and also rename the 5000, dubbing it the 100 or 200. The 200 featured a turbocharged five-cylinder with all-wheel drive as opposed to a non-turbo five and front-wheel drive, as on the 100. A Coupe also debuted, as did a new flagship, a V8-powered 200 sedan simply called the "V8".

The following decade saw the A4 and Cabriolet models, as well as the renaming of the 100 to A6. The stunning A8 was introduced as Audi's new flagship, boasting all-aluminum construction and a beefy V8. High-performance versions of the various models bowed, dubbed S4, S6 and S8.

The start of the new millennium brought the TT, Audi's low-slung sport coupe (and later roadster). It also introduced RS versions of the A4 and A6, providing even more performance than "S" variants. In addition to "S" and "RS" versions of the TT, Audi's more recent releases include the A3 hatchback, Q5 crossover SUV, slick A5 coupe, exotic R8 sports car and A7 luxury hatchback sedan.

Today, Audi continues its success in the prestige car marketplace by offering a wide range of vehicles that impressively combine luxury and sport.

User Reviews:

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  The Best - 2002 Audi S6
  By CaddyConvert - August 6 - 2:00 am

  This is the best car we have ever owned - it is a sports car with family functionality - it will get your kids where they have to go - store stuff in the trunk and will handle the road like a monster - put snow tires on it and even without the ground clearance it will burn most SUVs on slick roads - in the summer it will give an M5 a run for its money on the highway - maybe the greatest car ever designed for people who want the ability to drive a very fun car and still get the family around.

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  PRELIMINARY - 2003 Audi A4
  By RICH6588 - August 5 - 2:00 am

  ONLY 500 MILES AND I LOVE IT.AFTER DRIVING OVER 1,000,000 MILES IN EVERYTHING FROM JAGUARS TO MERCEDES AND FORDS TO CADDIES I FINALLY FOUND A CAR THAT I HAVE FUN DRIVING. IT IS ALL POSSIBLE DUE TO THE NEW CVT PLUS THE TURBO. THE CAR FLIES WITH NO EFFORT AND WITH THE SPORTS PKG I NO TROUBLE CORNERING AT ALL SANE SPEEDS. I WILL WRITE ANOTHER REVIEW AFTER MY FIRS 10,00 MILES.

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  I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS CAR! - 2004 Audi TT
  By Kingsampson - August 3 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my TT now for about 2 weeks and I absolutely love it! It is sooooo much fun to drive. Ive driven Volvos for the past 9 years and they were never as much fun as this car! Im always looking for excuses to go driving in it. I drove several makes of cars before leasing this vehicle and Im glad that I chose this one.

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  Perfection - 2004 Audi A4
  By olivier cohen - August 3 - 2:00 am

  Just perfect !!!!!! great look, incredible performance,low gas consumtion... it is a continuous pleasure to drive it.

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  Great blend of performance and style - 2004 Audi A6
  By panj - August 2 - 2:00 am

  I entered a lease on the s-line going from a 1999 BMW 740i sport. Performance and handling are very close to the BMW with the added benefit of AWD. Moving to much more severe winters, hence AWD. The interior lived up to Audis reputation for quality in colors, wood, etc. Dealers are offering lower than invoice with excellent lease rates given the new model coming. Recommend the leather upgrade with sport seats-- side bolstering needed for driving at the limit and the upgrade is a major improvement over the standard

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  Mixed bag... :( - 2001 Audi TT
  By back_to_BMW - August 2 - 2:00 am

  Awesome car if you approach it as a nice looking sporty car! Far from a real sports car. My 16 year old M3 can run circles around it except in a straight line!!! Resale value makes me want to never get an Audi ever. My first and last Audi ever. Fun while it lasted, but I cant afford to buy a car at $40K and sell it at $16K every 3 years. Much better value as a used car!!!!

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  Left over 2004 quite a bargain!! - 2004 Audi A6
  By ilovewestins - August 1 - 2:00 am

  Just picked up a A6 Quattro 3.0 yesterday. Prem, cold pkgs., and 17" wheels and tires. $2500 incentive plus $1000 Audi Loyalty got me out the door at $35300. Edmunds you missed the incentives!!! Thank goodness they wanted to move the 04s

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  A perfect drive - 2003 Audi A4
  By Philadelphia28 - July 31 - 10:00 am

  Overall, this is the best car Ive driven. Smooth yet peppy, and very responsive. Tiptronic transmission is excellent, and makes for a very fun and engaging drive. The Quatrro model really grips the road, especially around corners, and is great in bad weather. Interior is perhaps the best Ive ever seen, impeccably designed, with a terrific standard sound system. I get many looks in this car, it is gorgeous, especially with the 17" wheels. I definitely recommend the wheel upgrade from the standard 15s. Ive become an Audi driver for life.

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  Very, Very Solid - 2003 Audi A4
  By enthusiastic driver - July 31 - 2:00 am

  solid car! Ive driven it in many situations snow, rain, anything, and its always unflappable. The 4 has enough power, and while it may lack some of the grunt of the v6, it is cheaper, gets better gas mileage, and has plenty of power in pretty much any circumstance (never had any problem merging). Inside, the interior design is top- notch and one of the best Ive seen, very well organized. Everything is very intuitive. Id strongly recommend this to anyone who is lookin for brisk (but not boy-racer) transport in any conditions with room for 4 adults and a dog/a lot of their stuff. GETQUATTRO, IF IT WORKS ITS MAGIC ONCE, YOUVE PAID FOR IT

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  No Words To Describe - 2007 Audi A4
  By Legazy - July 30 - 3:40 am

  First type of entry level luxury car. Fun to drive, responsive and comfortable. Would buy again if they continued with this type of quality in the car. Good pricing options and the packages they offer are excellent! They have me hooked for sure, not to mention, it has a decent room for passengers in the back.